PhD EMPLOYMENT
DATA BOOK 2025
4-5 YEARS AFTER
SURVEY METHODOLOGY
In 2025, the third edition of the employment survey on Ph.D graduates 4-5 years after degree completion.
Every two years Politecnico di Milano carries out an employment survey on PhD graduates, respectively 4 and 5 years after degree completion, in order to understand the value of the PhD on the job market.
The data analyze the employment situation of Ph.D graduates who obtained their degree at Politecnico di Milano in 2019 and 2020.
The present survey was conducted between January and February 2025 through mixed methodology CAWI (Computer assisted web interviewing) and CATI ( Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing)
The Ph.Ds answered a multiple - choice survey of about 20 questions.
548 Ph.D graduates obtained degree in 2019 and 2020. 480 gave their consent to be contacted. 231 answered the survey. The response rate is 48%.
The response rate to the questionnaire is defined by the ratio between the number of Ph.Ds who answered the survey and the number of Ph.Ds who obtained their degree and gave their consent to be contacted.
PHD EMPLOYMENT
PHD EMPLOYMENT: 4-5 YEARS AFTER
IN WHICH SECTOR?
ARE EMPLOYEES
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES
PRIVATE COMPANIES
PUBLIC AUTHORITIES AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION 98% EMPLOYED
* PERCENTAGE CALCULATED ON THE ACTIVE POPULATION (EMPLOYED + UNEMPLOYED IN SEARCH OF A NEW OR FIRST EMPLOYMENT)
In 2025, 98% of the interviewed are employed and most (92%) are employees. The main job market is Italy, while 28% go abrod.
Ph.Ds work both in Universities and Research Institutes and the private companies.
ABROAD
They go abroad: For personal/family reasons For a better salary For a lack of opportunities in Italy
PHD EMPLOYMENT: UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES PRIVATE COMPANIES PA
RESEARCHER WORK
TIPO DI CONTRATTO
UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR FIXED TERM EMPLOYMENT MONTHLY NET SALARY
€2,424
PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT
Politecnico di Milano is the main employer for those who work at Universities and Research Institutes.
In this area, salaries reach as high as 2,400 net euros per month, the highest value recorded to date.
Satisfaction with the doctoral course of studies is very hight
WOULD CHOOSE TO DO THEIR
PHD AGAIN AT POLITECNICO
SAMPLE: 94 people interviewed
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES PRIVATE COMPANIES PA
COMPANY SIZE * (N° EMPLOYEES)
55%
12%
33% (1-250*) (251-1000*) (+ 1000*)
TYPE OF CONTRACT
PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT FIXED-TERM EMPLOYMENT
4%
€2,802 MONTHLY NET SALARY
OTHER
Private companies offer stable contracts (92% permanent) and good salaries (about 16% more than in the Universities and Research Institutes).
Ph.Ds work either in small companies (55%) or big companies (45%).
They are satisfied with the current job (8,1) but half of them (51%) say their job does not necessarily require a Phd.
WOULD CHOOSE TO DO THEIR
PHD AGAIN AT POLITECNICO
SAMPLE: 112 people interviewed
PHD
42% UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES
TYPE OF CONTRACT
WOULD CHOOSE TO DO THEIR PHD AGAIN MONTHLY NET SALARY
HAVE A JOB THAT FITS WITH THEIR STUDIES
HAVE A JOB THAT REQUIRES A PHD
SATISFIED WITH CURRENT JOB (SCALE 1-10)
48% 15% 11% 8% 7%
RESEARCHER PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT FIXED TERM EMPLOYMENT UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR
€2,424 83% 97% 96% 8.4
50% PRIVATE
COMPANIES
4% 92%
PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT
FIXED TERM EMPLOYMENT
€2,802 77% 79% 49% 8.1
TYPE OF CONTRACT
MONTHLY NET SALARY
WOULD CHOOSE TO DO THEIR PHD AGAIN
HAVE A JOB THAT FITS WITH THEIR STUDIES
HAVE A JOB THAT REQUIRES A PHD
SATISFIED WITH CURRENT JOB (SCALE 1-10)
FOCUS BY AREA
ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING DESIGN
ARCHITECTURE
PHD COURSES
Architectural Urban Interior Design
Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering
Preservation of the Architectural Heritage
Urban Planning, Design, and Policy
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES PRIVATE COMPANIES PA 97% EMPLOYMENT
€1,979 MONTHLY NET SALARY
SAMPLE: 37 people interviewed, 36 employed (of which 17 in Universities and Research Institutes)
In the Architectural area, PhD graduates mainly work in Universities and Research Institutes. Among these, 71% work at Politecnico di Milano. The italian market remains the most relevant market (75%) even 4-5 years after.
Architecture Ph.Ds are satisfied with their path and with current job. WOULD
DESIGN
PHD COURSE
Design
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES PRIVATE COMPANIES PA
WORK AT
SAMPLE: 13 people interviewed, 13 employed (of which 7 in Universities and Research Institutes) TYPE OF CONTRACT
€2,036 MONTHLY NET SALARY
All Design Ph.D graduates are employed 4-5 years after.
The sample of Ph.Ds in Design is quite small. In the present survey they work primarly at Universities and Research Institutes and most are at Politecnico di Milano.
Design Ph.Ds are satisfied with their path and with current job.
ENGINEERING
PHD
COURSES
Bioengineering
Industrial Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Physics
Aerospace Engineering
Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering
Materials Engineering
Information Technology
Electrical Engineering
Management Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Structural Seismic and Geotechnical Engineering
Mathematical Models and Methods in Engineering
Energy and Nuclear Science and Technology
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES PRIVATE COMPANIES PA
SAMPLE: 181 people interviewed, 177 employed (of which 70 in Universities and Research Institutes) TYPE OF CONTRACT
€2,571 MONTHLY NET SALARY
4-5 years after, PhD graduates in Engineering area are mainly employed in the private companies, where contractual conditions and salaries are generally better than Universities and Research institutes.
In Universities and Research institutes, Engineering PhDs are more satisfied with the professional outcome and studies. WOULD
CHOOSE TO DO THEIR PHD AGAIN AT POLITECNICO
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES PRIVATE COMPANIES PA
TYPE OF CONTRACT
PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT
ITALY
WHERE DO THEY WORK?
ABROAD
€2,864 MONTHLY NET SALARY
SAMPLE: 181 people interviewed, 177 employed (of which 96 in private companies)
GENDER VIEW
GENDER VIEW
€2,281
MONTHLY NET SALARY
Universities and Research Institute PA Private Companies
€2,267
€2,750
MONTHLY NET SALARY
EMPLOYED
Universities and Research Institute PA Private Companies
€2,292
GENDER VIEW
€2,832
ENGINEERING
MONTHLY NET SALARY
Universities and Research Institute PA Private Companies
€2,503
TREND ANALYSIS
TREND ANALYSIS
The Employment rate of Politecnico Ph.D graduates has risen reaching to 98% Ph.Ds employed within 4-5 years from degree completion.
This positive trend is accompained by a salary increase.
€2,191
€2,532
€2,634
2025 Employment Survey on Ph.Ds who graduated at Politecnico di Milano in 2019 and 2020.
The survey is carried out by the Career Service in collaboration with the Statistical Analysis, Evaluation and Accreditation Support Office and the Alumni Association of Politecnico di Milano.
